Ag Groups Urge Quick House Action on 2012 Farm Bill

House agriculture committee vote expected Wednesday.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) joined 75 other farm and agriculture groups in urging rapid consideration in the House of Representatives of the 2012 Farm Bill. In a letter sent today to the leaders of the House Agriculture Committee, NMPF urged members of Congress to act quickly on the measure before current farm law expires at the end of September.

“Farmers need certainty about farm policy as they make annual operating decisions, so it is important that we get a farm bill done this year. With the September 30th deadline looming for the current law, we are pleased that the House Agriculture Committee is working hard to get the bill completed,” NMPF wrote in the letter. The Agriculture Committee is expected to begin voting on amendments to its version of the Farm Bill starting this Wednesday.

“The farm bill is tremendously important for every single American, not just farmers and ranchers. In addition to helping farmers plan ahead and mitigate risk to survive the tough times, the bill provides critical investment in rural communities, conserves precious natural resources like soil and water, provides food for those less fortunate, and creates new sources of energy made here at home,” the letter said. It was sent to Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and ranking Democrat Collin Peterson (D-Minn.).